Pontefract 2nds v Hull Ionians 3rds

Match report Pontefract 2nds v Hull Ionians 3rds.
Game played Saturday 28.11.15 at Moor Lane, kick off 2.15pm. Gusting winds and torrential rain failed to dampen the spirits of Ponte 2nds and Hull Ionians 3rds but provided the backdrop for a challenging game in hostile rugby playing conditions. Hull kicked off to start the game and the ball was blown into touch giving Pontefracts hooker Jonny Hill his first touch of the ball. Number 6 Scott Hawkins caught the ball off the top and the home launched early game opportunities with Liam Kay, Ellis Burke and Matt Williams going close to score. Ponte were probably guilty of over exuberance in the early phases, only fingertips away from scoring and this led to the visitors gaining possession to threaten the home sides try line. Tackles from Dan Wheater and the Beecher brothers managed to keep the Ionians from scoring. The game being end to end stuff. The forwards kept the ball tight for spells of play, James Griffin, Jim Cain and Rich Armstrong trying to batter their way through, but the visitors were up for it and relished the early forward battle. A good set scrum allowed Matt Hargreaves to get the ball away to Liam Kay and a superb pass hit centre Richard Hossack who split the cover to score near the post, Liam Kay kicked the goal. Ponte had got the score board ticking over and found a way through the visitors defence and subsequently number 8 Matt Williams scored two crafted tries driving low and twisting to turn over and pull away from the tacklers to get the points. Liam Kay kicked a goal. half time score 19-0.
Fly half Liam Kay made most of the weather opportunities in the second half and made the defence scramble to contain the skidding ball. A good string of passes kick started by scrum half Dan Wheater set up wing Luke Beecher to race away and score in the corner. no goal. Hull persevered and got back into the home side half but again loose ball fearlessly collected by Will Story set off an attack which enabled Matt Williams to get over the line for his third try. Wing Luke Beecher went in for his second try. Back came the visitors as the weather opened up an opportunity but Scott Hawkins put in a telling tackle to free up the ball. Ponte winning possession. Liam Kay put the ball into space and number 14 Josh Beecher hacked the ball away from a slippery fumble and collected a greasy ball to slide over the line for the try which was goaled. Hull Ionians had the last word following a double penalty and then spilled over the line to claim the final try of the game in the final seconds. Final score 41-5. Man of the match for Pontefract was captain Scott Hawkins for his overall effort. Stand out Matt Williams for his three trys and Luke Beecher two trys. Josh Beecher scoring from forty metres using a combination of skills. Richard Hossack breaking the early deadlock. Jonny Mathews coming on as sub centre and playing out of his skin. However overall a massive effort from both sides and the referee in atrocious conditions combining to make a game of it. Both sides played with good spirit. On the day, Ponte having more overall fire power to earn the win. Ponte 2nds are in the pool for a home game this coming Saturday 05.12.15.